Baihao Yinzhen / Bai Hao Yin Zhen Chinese. Literally, White Tip Silver Needle. A Fujian specialty first exported as White Pekoe Silver Needle, Baihao Yinzhen was first produced in 1885 using leaf of Fuding Da Bai cultivar and is now considered one of Chinas 10 Most Famous Teas. It consists exclusively of unopened leaf buds covered with down. It has some characteristics of a green tea but is lighter-tasting with a unique sweetness. If extra leaf is used, the liquor becomes a light amber yellow with a richer flavour. Yinzhen is best picked between March 15 and April 10 but only when it is not raining and only using undamaged and unopened buds. Taoists consider the Qi of this sunshine around spring equinox which dries the leaf to impart an essential quality. Lesser Yinzhens do not require all these observances. (cited from "Tea Dictionary" by James Norwood Pratt)
